New York Fashion Week is more than a series of shows; it’s a city-wide extravaganza of style, power, and energy. While the runways feature next season’s trends, the city’s most iconic establishments become the unofficial stages for the real show—where editors, designers, models, and influencers converge to see, be seen, and seal deals over impeccable meals and crafted cocktails. Here is your curated guide to where to dine, drink, and be seen:
The Power Lunch & Dinner Destinations
L’Avenue at Saks Fifth Avenue
Perched atop the iconic Saks flagship, L’Avenue is the undisputed queen of fashion-week dining. With its sprawling terrace offering breathtaking views of Fifth Avenue and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, this is where front-row faces gather for a long, luxurious lunch, bespoke cocktails and intimate dinners. The scene is as meticulously curated as the menu—a blend of classic French brasserie and modern flair.
Avra Estiatorio
A perennial favorite for those who prefer their power dining with a side of Grecian elegance. Avra is the perfect retreat from the frantic pace of the shows, offering a transportive experience with its high ceilings, pristine seafood displays, and air of relaxed sophistication. Whether you’re at the original East 48th Street location, the chic Madison Avenue spot near Central Park, or the magnificent new Rockefeller Center outpost with its outdoor Mediterranean courtyard, you are guaranteed the finest, freshest fish flown in daily. It’s the ideal destination for a stylish midday bite to recharge or an elegant, extended dinner to dissect the day’s collections.
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Fouquet’s New York
The legendary Parisian bistro has found a home in Tribeca. Its old-world glamour and classic French cuisine make it a magnet for the international fashion jet set. Dining here feels both timeless and of-the-moment, a place where deals are made over steak tartare and champagne. It’s a cross-Atlantic touch of pure, unadulterated chic- don’t miss the signature dishes like the caviar dip, beef tartare tart and beef wellington for two.
So & So’s at Romer Hell’s Kitchen
Hidden behind an unassuming blue door marked on West Fifty-Second Street is So & So’s Neighborhood Piano Bar, Romer Hell’s Kitchen. The dimly lit, moody subterranean retreat is certainly an IYKYK destination for NYFW (A$AP Rocky recently chose it to host an impromptu birthday celebration). The gorgeous space boasts red upholstered walls, custom-designed lighting an air of mystery and exclusivity.
The Cocktail Hour & Late-Night Scenes
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
A timeless classic for a reason. While Bemelmans Bar is the star attraction with its iconic Ludwig Bemelmans murals and live jazz, The Carlyle exudes an air of discreet, old-money glamour throughout. It’s a place to sip a perfect martini and feel New York’s intricate history. You’re just as likely to rub shoulders with a legendary designer as you are with a visiting dignitaries is this opulent destination.
Baccarat Hotel
For a more crystalline, modern take on luxury, the Baccarat Hotel’s Grand Salon is unparalleled. The atmosphere is a seductive blend of French sophistication and contemporary cool, all amidst thousands of pieces of iconic Baccarat crystal. It’s a visually stunning backdrop for a pre-dinner glass of rosé champagne or a late-night nightcap. The crowd is impeccably dressed, and the ambiance is pure, shimmering fantasy.
Temple Bar
The resurgence of this iconic, speakeasy-style lounge proves that some moods are forever. Slip through the unmarked door and be transported to a dimly lit, velvet-draped den of cool. The cocktails are masterful, the vibe is intimate and conversational, and the crowd is a mix of downtown creatives and in-the-know industry veterans. It’s the antithesis of the bright, noisy scene—a perfect spot for a clandestine meeting or to end the night on a note of mystery.
Sartiano’s
This trendy subterranean Italian restaurant from seasoned Chef Alfred Portale serves handmade pastas, crudo, prime steaks, and fresh seafood to the city’s SoHo crowd in a modern, yet comfortable space. After dinner, head to SUBMERCER for an evening of cocktails in an intimate hideaway. Accessed through a discreet door, this lounge exudes a classic speakeasy charm, offering expertly crafted drinks and a low-lit, convivial atmosphere—the perfect capstone to a night of impeccable downtown dining.
apastabar
Located in the heart of SoHo, apastabar is modern italian eatery by Executive Chef Esther and is the perfect place to dine al fresco on pastas homemade everyday while people watching. If you love a show, book the open kitchen counter, and don’t miss the standout signature dishes Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe and Tagliatelle al Tartufo Nero, which showcase the kitchen’s risottare la pasta technique.
